fandomtownies | Luke's Diner, Saturday

Dwight had been wandering around- not lost just exploring- figuring the weekend was as good a time as any to get a little more familiar with his new home.

"Ah so that is where the diner is" he said to himself.

Walking in he looked around, searching for any familiar faces.

"Hey, Dwight!" Miguel smiled and toasted him with his coffee. "How's your week been?"

Dwight walked in and took a seat with a smile and a nod.

"Oh not too bad, meeting few more people, getting a better feel for the town. All in all, I'd say its been a good first week."

Dwight glanced at Miguel for a moment, making sure he hadn't imagined it. No, he hadn't... he was still wearing the same dark shades he had been wearing when they first chatted outside the shop.

"So, what would you recommend for the new guy?"

"I always recommend the empanadas, because they're mine," Miguel said, grinning. "And coffee, but today's is extra strong, if you're into that."

"Well let's do it then, sounds good. I'll take an order of those empanadas and definitely down for some coffee. The stronger the better in my opinion. My unit lived on some pretty strong coffee when we were in Afghanistan."

"This one builds itself as the world's strongest. It's not bad so far." Miguel poured him a cup and slid it over, along with the cream and sugar if he needed it. He put the order up for the empanadas.

"So, enjoying Fandom so far?"

"Fandom seems like a pretty decent place. Seen a few places and met some new people... including the Devil himself. So its been an interesting first week here to be sure. But I think the place is already growing on me a bit. Think it will be a nice change from Haven."

Dwight took the mug, ignoring the cream and sugar for now, and took a sip.

"Yup. that's some pretty strong brew there" he said with a smirk, eyeing the cream and sugar for a moment. "It is quite good though. Def not for everyone, but I can see why you like it."

"Downside of a healing factor," Miguel said, toasting with his mug, "Nearly impossible for poison to work on me. I'll take it as strong as I can get."

Returning the toast, Dwight raised his mug and took another sip.

"Healing factor eh?" he said raising an eyebrow curiously. "That is quite the superpower... Have anything to do with the, you know?" he said gesturing towards his eyes. "the interesting choice of eyewear?"

Miguel gave a rueful grimace. "Indirectly. I'm light-sensitive. And when I'm not on Fandom," he lifted his glasses to show his red eyes, "they tend to draw attention. I'm a memorable guy."

He grinned wide to show his fangs, too. "I like this place for a few reasons."

Dwight blinked with surprise for a moment. He had seen his share of the odd and unusual and intriguing, but nothing like this before.

"Well, I definitely understand the desire to be around understanding people..." he said with a nod as his expression fell somewhat. "Sorry if that was too personal a question."

"Huh?" Miguel blinked. "Nah, I just forget new people don't know yet. If I minded, I'd just tell you off."

The cook set the empanadas on the pass-through, and Miguel set them down in front of Dwight.

"I've got a whole suite of things going on. Super strength and speed, too. And the reason I got UMF to start was I kept shredding my clothes." He held out a hand and showed the talons that extended from his fingers like backward hooks.

The busboy walked past and scowled. "No shooting webbing in the diner!"

"And there's that," Miguel said, rolling his eyes.

Dwight let out a long whistle. "That is quite the lineup of powers there. Can understand wanting to stay under the radar a bit. Seems like Fandom would be a good place to be able to relax and let your guard down a bit- not hiding and covering up 24/7. That alone has to be absolutely exhausting."

Falling silent for a moment, he turned his attention to the plate of delicious looking and smelling food that was in front of him. Taking a bite he flashed Miguel a thumbs-up and nodded.

"Think you can add cooking to that list of super powers" he said with a chuckle. "Those are some of the best tasting empanadas I have ever had."

Miguel grinned more happily. "That comes from my ma. The spider shit came later. I got outed on international feed, so I don't go home much anymore. Fandom's definitely an improvement. Oh, but speaking of the UMF..."

He reached under the counter and came up with his outfit. "This was originally designed to be a Dia de Muertas costume, so don't think it all has to be this elaborate. Should give you some idea what it's like, though."

"Now THAT is impressive looking, I must say!" Dwight said looking at the outfit. "May I?" he asks as he wipes his hands clean.

Edited 2021-05-30 17:56 (UTC)

"Be my guest." Miguel set it down. True to what he'd said, it was light and flexible, conforming to whatever it was wrapped around. It wouldn't tear, though.

Dwight let the unusual material slide though this hands and he ran his finger along it, giving it a gentle tug and twist now and then.

"Amazing... Would definitely be a light lighter and cooler than this cumbersome abomination I'm stuck with right now And.... wouldn't even new a full body suite or anything. Like 85% of the bullets that hit me hit in this area" he said motioning from his chest to stomach. Occasional shoulder shots now and then. Anything else are just lucky grazes or extremity shots when a bullet can't make the full trajectory change.

Dwight turned his attention back to the material. "So eve just a shirt or something that would cover just a little more than the vest does would be a world of improvement in my book!"

Miguel nodded. "I'll see what I can get my hands on, let you know the pricing. This thing cost about as much as a nice tux, for reference." He grinned. "Guessing you're not into spider gear. Solid color?"

"Yeah simple and easy, don't need anything fancy. Simple is the only style I have ever really known," Dwight said with a chuckle.

"Thanks man, appreciate it. Might take me a bit but let me know the damages and we'll see if we can work something out."

"No problem." Miguel nodded. "I know I can be an ass, but I'm not a complete jerk. If I can help, I will. Might take a week or two. I'll have to go roundabout to keep from drawing attention."

He refilled his coffee and held the pot up toward Dwight in a question.

Dwight nodded and slid his mug over for a refill.

"No rush. You're doing me a solid and I appreciate it. As for being an ass, I think we all have to be a bit of an ass to get by in life. Am I right?" he asked lifting his mug with a smirk.

Miguel grinned and lifted his mug in return. "I'm great at getting by in life, then. As everyone who's known me can attest."

He pointed at the cook without looking. "Don't say it."

The cook shrugged.

"Well, it's justifiable."

Dwight took a slow, thoughtful drink.

"You got all the stress and pressure of your powers and having your cover blown... I got all the crap that Haven dropped into my lap with this Trouble and everything it took from me."

Miguel looked skeptical. "Yeah, no, I was a dick long before I got powers. My brother says I've gotten better since then. Shock knows I've tried."

He sipped his coffee. "So is that a 'please ask me so I can talk about it', or a 'life sucks, don't mention it'?"

"Either...neither... little of both? Still trying to wrap my head about everything myself to he honest" he said with a sad chuckle.

"I left Haven because I had lost my daughter, Lizzie, to the Troubles. I had already lost her mother when she left us. But losing Lizzie...yeah, a lifetime of loss cant prepare a parent for losing a child."

Dwight took a sip of the drink and fell silent for a moment before continuing.

"Couldn't stay there anymore. So when the chance to come to Fandom came, I took it. Needed the change."

"That...yeah. Wow. Sorry to hear about that. The only kids I've ever had are alternate-reality ones the island throws at us - which if nobody's warned you about that yet, it's a thing - but that had to be awful. Your trouble's genetic?"

"Ah first I've heard of that aspect of the island..." Dwight said thoughtfully as he thought on that for a moment.

"And yeah, our Troubles in Haven are usually genetic in a way. Usually it manifests due to some emotional trauma or stressor. For me, mine activated when my unit got captured in Afghanistan... hell of a time for a bullet trouble to kick in huh? Lizzie's Trouble activated during an altercation with some goons, they pulled a gun on me and shot me. Bullets never hit me.... for some reason I will never understand, they went for her when her Trouble activated."

Miguel...had absolutely nothing to say to that. (Except "fuck", which probably wouldn't quite cover it.)

After a minute or so of silence, he did offer awkwardly, "If you ever want to learn more, if that's even possible, I'm a geneticist. For all we know, it could be magic. And for some people it wouldn't help much to know. But if science helps, it's there."

"Might be something to look into at some point. Find out what options might be available to people who do want to know. Appreciate it... thanks."

"See?" Dwight said with a somewhat awkward grin. "You aren't suck a jerk after all."

"Hey, like I said, I'm trying."

Miguel shrugged. "For me, it sucked not to know what was going on. None of this was intentional, and I had to hide it from everyone. I talked a lot to my AI. At least Fandom's better for that."

"I can see how it could be a cure to some... But, I guess I can also see where some people would rather not know.. or not have to admit there was something different about them. I think personally, it would be better to know. Even there isn't anything that can be done to fix it or whatever. Knowing there was a reason- however crappy it might be- for the things that were happening would make things a little easier I think. Would have possibly saved me finding out about the family Trouble the way I did."

"Yeah, I'm definitely not offering to 'fix' anyone," Miguel said. "Last time I tried that, I ended up half spider. Could've been a lot worse, too. But I'm a scientist - I'd always rather know."

"I've come to accept the troubles, they are what they are. But anything that could be learned about them could really do nothing but help people in the long run I would think."

Dwight fell silent for a moment then glanced over at Miguel.

"So your... abilities, they weren't something you were born with?"

"Noooo," Miguel drawled. "Definitely not. Long story for over a large bottle of something, though. "You know, we used to have a Drunk and Bored club on Saturdays. I should start it up again."

"Now that sounds like a great idea to be honest. You'll have to let me know if you ever get it back up and running. Though, on that note... I think it's about time I headed out. First official week with the shop open and all coming up."

Dwight gave Miguel a grin and held his hand out as he spoke again. "Thanks for the great food and conversation. Appreciate it. Remember swing by the shop if you ever need anything worked on or just want to hang out."

"I'll definitely tag you in," Miguel said, grinning. He shook Dwight's hand. "And I'll keep the shop in mind. Have a good one."

Luke's Diner, Saturday

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